Registration is now open for CAS’ annual Summer Leadership Institute (SLI)! Join us at The Heritage on June 22-23 for "Leading Personalized Learning: Supporting the Emotional Needs of Our Students.” Keynote presentations will focus on new approaches to challenging student behavior and identifying students in need of mental health interventions. New to this year’s institute will be the presence of community providers who can support the approaches introduced in the workshops and provide resources for implementing them locally. If you are looking for the perfect blend of professional learning, relaxation, reflection, and rejuvenation, register for the SLI now!

Back to Contents

CAS is hosting its annual spring membership reception on May 9th from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Formerly a business meeting at which we discharged the duties and responsibilities required by our Constitution, this annual event has been transformed into a relaxing, end-of-the-year gathering and awards ceremony. Six administrators will be recognized for their extraordinary service to the association this year. Congratulations to Laurie Boske, Jon Capone, Rich Dellinger, Victoria Reed, Deane Renda and Beth Smith!

Back to Contents

Each year, members of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) elect zone leaders to serve on the association’s board of directors. We are pleased to announce that Connecticut’s very own Vickie Reed, principal of Highland Elementary School in Wallingford, has been elected Zone 1 Director. She will begin her term on August 1st. We are thrilled to have a Connecticut administrator serving in this important role. Congratulations, Vickie!

Back to Contents

The last Principals' Leadership Series (PLS) session of the year will be held on May 10th and will address the all-important topic of equity. Presenter Dr. Deirdra Preis from Fairfield Warde High School will discuss achievement gaps as they exist not only in low-income districts but in some of CT's highest-achieving and highly resourced schools. Participants can learn how to have the difficult conversations and make the changes in practice needed to ensure that all students are accessing resources and achieving their potential. This morning workshop will be held at the CAS office in Cheshire and is open at no charge to all CAS members.

Back to Contents

On Saturday, April 22nd, the CT Middle School Debate League held its last event of the year at Eastern Middle School in Greenwich, achieving its highest participation to date! Two hundred eleven students from twenty schools debated the motion: This House would colonize Mars. First place was earned by The Hive's team of Halle Hunt, Ava Prevey and Bronwyn Walsh, with second going to Smith Middle School's team of Anana Turner and Leah Levebvre.

Back to Contents

On June 6, SERC, in collaboration with CHRO and True Colors, will host a full-day workshop on transgender student rights for school administrators, guidance counselors, teachers and support staff. The session will outline best practices for schools to ensure all students are safe, included and respected regardless of their gender identity or expression. It will cover policy and legal obligations to give school personnel a better understanding of the rights of transgender and gender-nonconforming students. Participants will also hear best-practice approaches to working with students and families, adaptable to the specific needs of their school districts.

Back to Contents

Have you finally reached that seemingly elusive milestone? If so, please let us know! All retiring principals and assistant principals receive life memberships in CAS. If you plan to retire this year, or if you know of any principal or assistant principal who is so planning, please go to www.casciac.org/retiringadmins and fill in the requested fields. This task should take no more than a minute of your time.

If you are planning to retire this year and want to stay active but not in a full-time capacity, consider registering with CAS as a potential interim administrator. The process is easy. Simply send an electronic copy of your resumé to Ev Lyons (elyons@casciac.org), and it will be forwarded to districts who contact CAS looking for interim prospects. Once CAS sends its bank of available resumés to an interested district, the district takes over and contacts individuals directly. So, if retirement is looming and you are not quite ready to pass the day in your Lazy Boy, consider an interim position and contact CAS!

Back to Contents

Fifth grade teachers and their administrators are invited to CCSU on May 17th for the official launch of Connecticut's Kid Governor (CKG) 2017-18! A kickoff workshop designed for both CKG veterans and newcomers will be held from 5:00-7:15 p.m. CKG staff and state social studies consultant Steve Armstrong will be on hand to provide an overview of the popular civics program; and past program participants will be available to offer tips for creating unique, collaborative, school-wide - and even district-wide - CKG experiences! 

Back to Contents